On Friday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, announced that the United States and Iran have concurred on the terms of an agreement designed to terminate their conflict in the Middle East. Mediation efforts are underway to finalize the deal between both nations.
Sharif stated that the U.S. and Iran have a “final, agreed upon text.” Pakistan, leading these mediation efforts, remains engaged with the involved countries on subsequent steps. “Peace has never been this close as it is now,” Sharif shared in a post on X.
This breakthrough follows recent confrontations where Iran clashed with the U.S. and Israel over three days, risking a renewal of full-scale war in the region. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, echoed optimism about reaching an agreement, stating “an agreement has never been closer” in a post on X. U.S. President Donald Trump also expressed similar sentiments, sharing Araghchi’s post on social media.
The hostilities initiated by the U.S. and Israel on February 28 have destabilized the Middle East and severely disrupted oil and natural gas exports from the Persian Gulf. A ceasefire has been tenuously maintained since April 7.
An Iranian official indicated that nuclear-related details will follow the initial agreement. Araghchi told Iranian state television that both parties are progressing toward signing a preliminary agreement to end the war “on all fronts, including Lebanon.” Currently, Israel is engaged in combat with the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah in Lebanon. Although Israel is not involved in the U.S.-Iran negotiations, its leaders have expressed no intent to withdraw from Lebanon.
Details regarding Iran’s nuclear program will be solidified within 60 days of signing the initial agreement, with possible extensions. The U.S. and Israel have expressed concerns about Iran’s nuclear potential, fearing it could lead to nuclear weapon development. Tehran insists on peaceful purposes for its nuclear initiatives.
A senior U.S. administration official, speaking anonymously, revealed that the developing agreement would initiate the destruction or removal of Tehran’s highly enriched uranium. Over a 60-day period following the deal’s signing, technical details will be addressed to remove Iran’s enriched uranium, which is reportedly housed under three nuclear sites previously struck by U.S. forces.
Equally crucial is the status of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic passage crucial for oil and natural gas transportation. Disruptions in this transit route have impacted global energy supplies, heightened fuel prices, and elevated costs for basic commodities worldwide. The agreement reportedly includes clauses for reopening the strait. Araghchi emphasized that Iran seeks a pact allowing Tehran to levy fees on ships transiting the strait in accordance with services provided, challenging claims that such a toll system breaches international law.
Late Friday, U.S. Central Command reported intercepting multiple Iranian attack drones aimed at civilian ships in the strait. Regional authorities suggest a deal might be formalized in the coming days, pending approvals from Washington and Tehran. The phased lifting of sanctions on Iran and the unfreezing of Iranian assets are expected parts of the agreement. Three regional officials confirmed these elements, providing details anonymously due to negotiation sensitivities.
President Trump recently called attention to substantial progress in the talks, even threatening to intensify assaults and seize Iran’s oil sector hours beforehand. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel is not a signatory to the negotiation and declared alignment with Trump to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear arms. Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, issued a statement expecting Trump to prioritize Israeli concerns, such as diminishing Iran’s missile capabilities and proxies.
Katz also noted Israel’s willingness to act independently if needed and asserted that Israel would not vacate occupied territories in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, nor the West Bank’s northern refugee camps. The negotiation efforts are majorly being conducted by Pakistan, with its army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, spearheading, alongside support from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar.
Additional reporting by various Associated Press journalists from Berlin, Jerusalem, Washington, and other locations contributed to the details of this developing story.